When nervous, embarrassed, or uncertain — or lying — a character will sometimes rub the back of his head/neck with one hand, often with a patently fake grin or laugh accompanying the gesture. It's so ubiquitous in manga and anime that it might be easier to list examples where someone doesn't do this.

Both Gourry and Xellos of Slayers do this rather frequently, though with Xellos it's probably for more worrisome reasons.

Azumanga Daioh: While Tomo does this more (in the anime) than all the rest of the main and supporting cast combined, the following have also done it: Kagura (the distant second), Chiyo (twice), Yomi, Chihiro, Yukari, and Minamo (once each).

Once he's gone through Character Development (mostly of the falling-in-love sort, but also learning to be humble and to care about others besides himself), Tai Lung does this a great deal in A Different Lesson, particularly around Tigress.

Films — Animation

Disney heroes, most notably Aladdin and Hercules, tend to do this when confronted with attractive and aggressive women. The Beast does it when he's ashamed of himself or frustrated.

Commander Shepard of Mass Effect has a tendency to do this when modestly acknowledging his/her deeds when admired. Other characters occasionally do it as well.

In one side-mission in Mass Effect, it is specifically mentioned as a Character Tic one very minor character does when stressed. Since you are being asked to keep him distracted for a while, you are advised to press the subject when he starts doing this.

Ever17: Kuranari Takeshi's right hand is rarely (if ever) seen. It seems to be permanently fused with the back of his head.

Sora of Kingdom Hearts does this a lot — often around Kairi or Naminé but basically whenever he's thinking about anything. Also, when Goofy scolds him for getting a little too aggressive, his apology involves this gesture.

Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice often do this in the court scenes if they make a mistake. They also do it if they are unsure about something; like, for example, when bringing up a piece of evidence without knowing exactly what's going on, they'll do this while explaining their usually shaky logic.

Kappa Mikey, naturally, in a parody of anime. Guano, Lily and Mitsuki do this on occasion, but the real offender is Gonard!

Jérémie from Code Lyoko pulls this on a couple of occasions. Most notability, after Jim caught him spray painting a picture of Jim with a big head, messed up eyes, bunny ears, tiny hands, and an insane look on his face (not counting the eyes) on one of the walls of Kadic in the middle of the night...

Hank Hill from King of the Hill does this all the time. It usually happens when Hank has to try to express emotions, which is very difficult for him. It got so common that there was eventually an executive order for him not to do it anymore.

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